Latest news with #Willford
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor vetoes rideshare safety bill: Sponsors call action a ‘devastating blow'
DENVER (KDVR) — On Friday, Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a bill that would have implemented safety standards for rideshare drivers, including tougher background checks and a right of action for people injured during a ride. Polis said in his letter justifying the veto that the bill would 'impose unworkable regulations on Transportation Network Companies, and potentially jeopardize their continued operation in Colorado.' Uber previously threatened to pull out of the state if the bill were made into law, and Lyft said the bill would 'leave riders less safe and leave the future of Lyft's operations in Colorado uncertain.' Lyft asks Gov. Polis to veto rideshare safety bill as companies threaten to leave Colorado 'I want to make sure that Uber, Lyft, and others will be able to continue to operate in Colorado, but are far more accountable for the safety of riders and drivers. These services go beyond convenience by providing essential means of travel for many Coloradans and improve public safety primarily by reducing driving under the influence,' Polis wrote to the General Assembly. Sponsors of the bill include Rep. Jenny Willford, who sued Lyft this year after she said she was sexually assaulted while using Lyft. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man in connection with the incident. Officials say he impersonated a rideshare driver. Bill supporters, including Willford, said that Polis was using industry talking points to ignore Colorado constituents and veto the measure. 'If the Governor or his staff had chosen to engage earlier than the Monday before Sine Die, we could have addressed these issues,' the sponsors said in a release. 'We made good-faith amendments throughout the process, including at the Governor's request. What we needed was a partner — not a veto pen.' The bill passed overwhelmingly in the legislature, with the House voting unanimously to concur on amendments made to the bill after also voting 59-6 in favor of the measure, and the Senate voting unanimously on amendments after voting 22-13 to approve the measure. The bill changed while in the legislature, with legislators ultimately nixing a requirement for drivers to use dash cameras and audio record all rides. Denver sues Trump administration over potential loss of transportation funding 'We decided that there was so much in this bill that it was so important to get on the books that we were open to moving off of that required audio and video of every ride, shifted to an opt-in so that riders and drivers can decide what they are comfortable with. I believe this is a tremendous step forward,' Willford told FOX31 on the last day of session. Polis wrote in his letter to legislators that he is 'concerned about the language around audio-visual recording, which was modified at the last minute and is likely unworkable for both the PUC (public utilities commission) and TNCs (transportation network companies) as currently constructed.' 'Drivers and riders are entitled to privacy, and while I appreciate the movement on this issue, the net effect of the remaining language in the bill still strongly suggests making recording mandatory, which will put this law in direct conflict with other state privacy laws and make compliance a challenge. Moreover, the relevant data retention pieces remain challenging, without ensuring proper security protocols, and creates operational difficulties,' Polis wrote. Polis said that while he is vetoing the bill, he is also directing several parts of his administration to take action and help make rideshares safer. Those directions were: For the Department of Regulatory Agencies to work with sponsors to identify policy objectives For DORA to work with PUC to review current rideshare rules and focus on strengthening driver impersonation and penalties For PUC to conduct audits of rideshare companies to ensure they are complying with background check requirements Polis seemed to agree that the current state of rideshare safety in Colorado isn't enough. 'I am also challenging TNCs to do more to protect riders and drivers, including being more transparent about their rights, and more vigorous in preventing serious crimes,' Polis wrote. 'The status quo isn't sufficient. Enhancing criminal record checks for drivers and preventing bad actors, including impersonators, from getting behind the wheel are commonsense steps we canand should take, and steps we can address now.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Man impersonating rideshare driver charged with unlawful sexual contact of Colorado legislator
DENVER (KDVR) — A man acting as another rideshare driver is now facing a charge of unlawful sexual contact of a Colorado state representative after she reported being sexually assaulted while using Lyft. Rep. Jenny Willford, a Democrat representing Adams County, sued Lyft earlier this year after reporting the incident, which happened in February 2024 in Northglenn. The 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office on Tuesday announced it has charged Mukhammadali Mukadyrov, 42, in the incident, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Previous: Colorado legislator sues Lyft after reporting sexual assault; alleges systemic issues 'Mukadyrov was allegedly acting as a rideshare driver while using the vehicle and account of another individual at the time of the offense,' the district attorney's office said. Recounting the incident at a press conference at the state Capitol in January, Willford said she was sexually assaulted in view of her house, where her husband and children were at the time. 'The Lyft driver blocked my exit and when I tried to get out, he pushed me back down into the car,' Willford said. 'He touched me inappropriately and went on to sexually assault me.' Willford sued Lyft and a local transportation company whose owner allegedly let Mukadyrov use his Lyft account and vehicle when he picked Willford up. Lawmakers send rideshare safety measure to governor's desk on last day of session 'Lyft has known of well over 6,000 incidents of sex assault on their passengers, and to this date has still failed to take reasonable steps that would address the problem,' Morgan Carroll, an attorney representing Willford, said in January. 'Lyft has also known about the systemic problem of imposter and fake accounts and has failed to address the systemic problem.' Willford's experience also led her to sponsor a bill passed at the end of the legislative session that adds several protection measures to rideshare drivers. Gov. Jared Polis has yet to sign the bill, HB25-1291, which had prompted Uber to threaten to leave Colorado if it became law due to enforcement concerns. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
26-04-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Uber Could Be Halted For Millions of Americans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Uber is threatening to cease operations in Colorado over a new bill passed by the state's House of Representatives. Why It Matters Millions of people could lose access to Uber if the company follows through on its latest threat to pull out of Colorado. The situation highlights the growing tension between lawmakers aiming to impose new protections for gig workers and companies that rely heavily on flexible business models. A man leaves the headquarters of Uber in San Francisco in this file photo taken on December 16, 2015. A man leaves the headquarters of Uber in San Francisco in this file photo taken on December 16, 2015. Eric Risberg/AP What To Know Uber warned this week that it may cease operations in Colorado entirely if a new rideshare bill becomes law. The bill, HB25-1291, passed the Colorado House of Representatives in a bipartisan 59–6 vote on April 16. It includes new requirements such as criminal background checks for drivers every six months and mandatory audio and video recording of trips. It would also prohibit drivers from offering passengers drinks and snacks. The legislation, described as aiming to "increase protections for persons engaged with transportation network companies," has since moved through the Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology and will face a full Senate vote on Friday. It was spearheaded by state Representative Jenny Willford. Willford introduced the bill into the legislature in January 2025 after she filed a lawsuit against Lyft alleging she was sexually assaulted by a man pretending to be a rideshare driver in February 2024, according to reporting from KMGH-TV. "This legislation has been very personal to me," Willford told KMGH-TV. "I decided to use my own pain and the platform that I have to hold a company that has ignored survivors for far too long accountable, and what we saw today — them announcing that they're going to leave — is them feeling that accountability for the first time in a very long time." Uber's major concerns, according to the Colorado Sun, center around new liabilities—such as drivers potentially being sued for offering passengers food or drinks—and the financial burden of reimbursing drivers for recording equipment. In a statement Wednesday, Uber said it would have "no choice" but to leave the state if the bill is signed into law. Willford called Uber threatening to leave Colorado a "cynical and disheartening move by a multi-billion dollar company to turn their back on survivors rather than implement real safety measures" in a statement posted to her Instagram account Thursday. Uber has made similar threats in the past. Notably, in 2024, Uber and Lyft warned they would leave Minneapolis after the city council passed a minimum wage increase for drivers. However, both companies ultimately remained after a statewide compromise on driver pay was reached. What People Are Saying An Uber spokesperson said in a statement to KKTV11: "HB25-1291 is a deeply flawed proposal, which if implemented could leave us no choice but [to] cease operations in Colorado. "It threatens user privacy by requiring every trip to be recorded, imposes major technical and financial burdens, and offers no clear safety benefit in return. We support real, evidence-based safety policy – not legislation that checks a box but fails to deliver. As written, this bill not only misses the mark, it risks doing more harm than good." Representative Jenny Willford said in a statement posted to her Instagram: "The bottom line is one sexual assault is too many, but for Uber, 8,900 aren't enough to take action. This is a cynical and disheartening move by a multi-billion dollar company to turn their back on survivors rather than implement real safety measures. We have worked with Uber in good faith for months and accepted many of their amendment requests - including a full rewrite of the bill. "For years, Uber has checked the box on safety, but time after time failed to deliver for victims. It's clear Uber won't stand up for safety so they can continue to maximize profits rather than address the horrible incidents that change the lives of riders and drivers forever." What Happens Next The Colorado Senate is expected to review HB25-1291 on Friday. If it passes, it would move to the governor's desk for a signature.
Newsweek
25-04-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Uber Threatens to Leave One State Over New Bill
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Uber says it may shut down operations in Colorado if the state passes new rideshare safety legislation, a move that would mark one of its most aggressive responses to state-level regulation in years. Why It Matters The proposed law, House Bill 1291, would create one of the strictest oversight regimes in the country for ride-hailing platforms. Uber's threat reflects the growing tension between local governments seeking tighter safety standards and tech companies warning of stifling overregulation. The outcome in Colorado could influence how other states regulate app-based labor models. What To Know HB-1291, introduced by Representative Jenny Willford, passed the Colorado House 59-6 and recently advanced in the Senate. The legislation mandates regular background checks for drivers, requires all rides to be recorded, and bans the exchange of food and drinks between riders and drivers, among other measures. Willford, a Democrat, cited her own experience of being sexually assaulted by a rideshare driver. Uber claims it already conducts background checks and offers a safety button, as well as other safety measures, but says the bill's provisions go too far, particularly with continuous recordings and restrictions on driver-passenger interactions. "HB25-1291 is a deeply flawed proposal, which if implemented would leave us no choice but cease operations in Colorado," an Uber spokesperson told Newsweek. "It threatens user privacy by requiring every trip to be recorded, imposes major technical and financial burdens, and offers no clear safety benefit in return. We support real, evidence-based safety policy – not legislation that checks a box but fails to deliver. As written, this bill not only misses the mark, it risks doing more harm than good." A stock photo of rideshare apps on a phone screen. A stock photo of rideshare apps on a phone screen. 5./15 WEST/Getty Uber's threat to exit Colorado echoes its previous confrontations with regulators. In 2016, it pulled out of Austin, Texas, after the city enacted stricter background checks, but returned only after the Texas Legislature overrode local rules. The company also threatened to leave Minneapolis in 2024 due to wage regulations, but a last-minute compromise kept them in place. For Colorado, this isn't the first high-profile conflict with Uber. In 2017, the company was fined $8.9 million by the state for allowing individuals with serious criminal convictions or suspended licenses to drive for the platform. At the time, Uber blamed an error in background screenings, but now touts "robust" background checks of its drivers. Meanwhile, Lyft hasn't threatened to leave the state if the bill becomes law. A spokesperson told Newsweek the company believes a compromise can be reached between legislators and rideshare companies. What People Are Saying An Uber spokesperson told Newsweek in a statement: "Uber has led the industry on safety from day one—backed by technology, transparency, and real accountability. We don't just talk about safety; we build it into the core of our platform with robust background checks and features like Audio and Video Recording, an Emergency Button, PIN verification, and RideCheck." Representative Jenny Willford told Newsweek in a statement: "The bottom line is one sexual assault is one too many, but for Uber, 8,900 aren't enough to take action. This is a cynical and disheartening move by a multi-billion dollar company to turn their back on survivors rather than implement real safety measures. We have worked with Uber in good faith for months and accepted many of their amendment requests - including a full rewrite of the bill. "For years, Uber has checked the box on safety, but time after time failed to deliver for victims. It's clear Uber won't stand up for safety so they can continue to maximize profits rather than address the horrible incidents that change the lives of riders and drivers forever." A Lyft spokesperson told Newsweek in a statement: "We believe there is a compromise that can be reached that would be beneficial for both riders and drivers, but there are still several aspects of the bill that would make implementation extremely problematic. At the very least, it would have a drastic, negative impact on those who use the platform in a way that does not help achieve the goal of the legislation. We encourage Senate officials to collaborate with us on a bill that addresses these realities and avoids the unintended consequences the current version creates." What Happens Next The Senate is now considering the bill. If passed, it will head to Governor Jared Polis's desk for a signature—and potentially push Uber to follow through on its threat to leave the state.
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Uber threatens to leave state if new legislation passes: Here's what to know
Uber threatens to leave state if new legislation passes: Here's what to know Show Caption Hide Caption Ninth annual 'Uber Lost & Found' list released Divorce papers and live animals like rabbits and lobsters are among the bizarre items on Uber's 2025 "Lost & Found" list. Uber said it will pull out of Colorado if a bill aimed at improving rideshare safety becomes law. House Bill 25-1291, spearheaded by state Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, looks to require rideshare drivers to make audio and video recordings of trips and prohibiting drivers from offering passengers drinks and snacks. The bill would also require companies to conduct more thorough background checks on drivers and track and report violent incidents. The bill was introduced into the legislature in January 2025 after Willford filed a lawsuit against Lyft alleging she was sexually assaulted by a man pretending to be a rideshare driver in February 2024, according to reporting from KMGH-TV, an ABC affiliate in Denver. In an emailed statement obtained by USA TODAY Friday, Uber called the bill "a deeply flawed proposal, which if implemented would leave us no choice but cease operations in Colorado." Uber claims HB25-1291 "threatens user privacy by requiring every trip to be recorded, imposes major technical and financial burdens, and offers no clear safety benefit in return. We support real, evidence-based safety policy - not legislation that checks a box but fails to deliver," Uber said in the statement. "As written, this bill not only misses the mark, it risks doing more harm than good." Willford called Uber threatening to leave Colorado a "cynical and disheartening move by a multi-billion dollar company to turn their back on survivors rather than implement real safety measures" in a statement posted to her Instagram account Thursday. "We have worked with Uber in good faith for months and accepted many of their amendment requests - including a full rewrite of the bill," the statement continued. "For years, Uber has checked the box on safety, but time after time failed to deliver for victims." "It's clear Uber won't stand up for safety so they can continue to maximize profits rather than address the horrible incidents that change the lives of riders and drivers forever," Willford concluded in her statement. In its emailed statement, Uber said it has "led the industry on safety from day one - backed by technology, transparency, and real accountability." Uber points to features like the audio and video recording, RideCheck, and Emergency Button as examples of safety features contained within its app. Uber said its Record My Ride feature in the app enables drivers to record video using the front-facing camera on their smartphone, similar to a dashcam. The feature has been live in the US since last year, Uber said. Audio recording is also available for both riders and drivers during a trip in the Uber app. When a driver or rider uses the Emergency Button within the Uber app, the car's make and model, license plate, and GPS location are made available to 911 dispatchers, according to Uber's website. The Colorado Sun reports the bill passed the House by a 59-6 vote earlier this month and currently awaits a hearing on the Senate floor. The legislative session ends May 7. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
